eMachines Windows Vista FAQ

eMachines recommends Windows Vista® Home Premium.

Windows Vista - Dial up Modem - Not Detected

Note: Some of the following procedures may require the use of an account with administrative privileges. You may need to click Continue or type in an administrative username and password during those procedures.

  1. If you have not logged out, restarted, or shut down the computer since the issue started, restart the computer, and select the last known good configuration.

  2. If you have added hardware or software immediately before the issue started, remove the added hardware or software. Turn off the computer before removing hardware.

    Note: Using the form at the top of this page, send the customer a Doc Express link for this checklist.

  3. If you know when the issue started, use System Restore.
    1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: system. From the displayed list, click System Restore.
    2. In the System Restore dialog box, click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
    3. In the System Restore dialog box, select a day and time from the list when the computer was working properly, and then click Next.
    4. Close any open programs, and then in the System Restore dialog box, click Finish to restore your computer.
    5. In the System Restore dialog box, click Yes.
    6. After the computer returns to Windows, in the System Restore dialog box, click OK.
    7. Determine whether the computer is working properly. If it does not work properly, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date.

    Note: If no hardware or software has been added and System Restore is not applicable, continue troubleshooting.

  4. Check Event Viewer for any error or warning events.
    1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: event. From the displayed list, click Event Viewer.
    2. In the Event Viewer window, click the arrow in front of Windows Logs, and then check the Application and System Logs for error or warning events. If there are any found, refer to Microsoft TechNet for additional information related to the error or warning.
    3. After you are finished viewing the Event Viewer, click File, and then click Exit.

  5. Check the modem for compatibility.

  6. Disable all programs running in the background.
    1. Click Start. In the Start Search, type: msconfig. From the displayed list, click msconfig.
    2. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the Startup tab, and then click to clear each check box on the list.
    3. After all items on the Startup tab have been unchecked, click the Services tab, and then check Hide All Microsoft Services. The list of services becomes smaller. Click Disable All.
    4. Click OK, and then restart your computer when prompted.
    5. Test for the issue.

    Note: If the issue is intermittent you may need to test the computer, for that specific issue, until you feel comfortable that the issue would have reappeared.

    If the issue is resolved, follow these steps:

    1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: msconfig. From the displayed list, click msconfig.
    2. On the Startup tab, click to select the first check box in the list.
    3. Click OK, and then restart your computer when you are prompted.
    4. Determine whether the issue is resolved.
    5. After you are confident that the issue has been resolved, repeat step 1 through step 3, but click to select the next check box in the list.
    6. If the issue is still resolved after checking all items on the Startup tab, click the Services tab and then check Hide All Microsoft Services. Click to select the first check box in the list, and then click OK. Restart the computer when prompted.
    7. Determine whether the issue is resolved.
    8. After you are confident that the issue has been resolved, repeat steps 6 and 7, but click to select the next check box in the list.

    When the issue returns, the last check box that was cleared loads a program that is preventing Windows from working properly. After the item is discovered, leave it cleared, and then verify that all other startup items and services are checked. If the computer continues to function properly, reconnect any external devices that may have been disconnected in previous troubleshooting steps. If the computer still continues to function properly, troubleshoot the startup item or service that is causing the issue. A common troubleshooting step is to remove and reinstall the associated program.

    Note: If the program that is causing the issue is not from Gateway refer to the vendor of the product for assistance.

  7. Start the computer in Safe mode and check Device Manager for duplicate devices.

    1. Click Start, point to the small arrow next to the padlock icon, and then click Restart.
    2. As the computer restarts, tap the F8 key after the Gateway BIOS logo appears until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
    3. In the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to move to Safe Mode, and then press the ENTER key.
    4. After logging into Windows Vista Safe Mode, you may use the Windows Help and Support dialog box that appears to troubleshoot further.

  8. Reseat the modem, if applicable. Reseat the modem into a different slot, if applicable.

    Note: Whenever you open the computer, make sure that you are aware of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Verify that the computer is unplugged before doing anything inside the case. There is risk of electrical shock or damage to the computer.

  9. Remove most peripheral cards from the computer, except the video card and, if necessary, the hard disk controller card. If the symptoms are resolved, put the cards back into the computer one at a time, testing after each to isolate the possible defective card.

If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods:
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